What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Life
Does the Christian life have to be such hard work?
There are endless books describing how to live a “better” and “more disciplined” Christian life, and the long list of things to remember, eliminate, or put into practice can start to feel discouraging. The aim of this book is to go deeper—to ask what it’s all about in the first place. Why did God save you? What does it mean, practically speaking, to love him? Why is it sometimes so difficult to live in his ways? Come and discover the heartbeat of your new life in Jesus, and find that you can truly enjoy being a Christian.
Chapters
What’s Holding You Back? 1. At the Foot of the Cross 2. Living in God’s Love 3. Loving God 4. A Friend Forever 5. Grown Up Tastes 6. Left Behind 7. Doing Good 8. Perfect
There are endless books describing how to live a “better” and “more disciplined” Christian life, and the long list of things to remember, eliminate, or put into practice can start to feel discouraging. The aim of this book is to go deeper—to ask what it’s all about in the first place. Why did God save you? What does it mean, practically speaking, to love him? Why is it sometimes so difficult to live in his ways? Come and discover the heartbeat of your new life in Jesus, and find that you can truly enjoy being a Christian.
Chapters
What’s Holding You Back? 1. At the Foot of the Cross 2. Living in God’s Love 3. Loving God 4. A Friend Forever 5. Grown Up Tastes 6. Left Behind 7. Doing Good 8. Perfect
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 11, 2026
Powered through this because it’s such a beautiful and complete articulation of the Christian life. Kind and unflinching, it diagnoses and balms. This will definitely be one to give away in the best way, and read again and again for years to come.
April 2, 2026
The New Life is a wonderful addition to the Union Essentials series—short, but absolutely packed with biblical truth. Drawn in by the question, “Does the Christian life have to be such hard work?”, I found this book both refreshing and deeply grounded.
Sitting within the “Regeneration Through the Spirit” part of the series, the book explores what the Christian life looks like when viewed through the lens of the cross, the love of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternity. Hames manages to cover a remarkable amount in just over 100 pages, offering clarity, conviction, and comfort in equal measure.
One of the things I loved most was how saturated the book is with Scripture. Almost every statement is supported with a relevant Bible verse, and the Scripture Index at the back is immensely helpful. Having been a Christian for nearly three decades, I didn’t necessarily come away with brand‑new concepts, but I did come away with rich reminders of what it truly means to follow Christ. As Hames puts it, “learning to live in God’s love for us is a lifelong pursuit” (p.34), and this book beautifully reinforces that truth.
It’s concise, pastorally warm, and genuinely encouraging. I’m excited to read more from this series.
My favourite quotes:
P23 In other words, the Christian life is defined by Jesus, centred on Jesus, and it even begins to look like Jesus, in all his loveliness and goodness. It is not your own life, but his life being worked out in you. It is this way from day one, and will be this way right to the day when your race has been won. And it will never stop feeling like kneeling at the cross in worship and wonder.
P25 Our growth, holiness, Christlikeness, maturity, and so on will only be healthy and happy (not to mention real and not faked) when we understand that our new life is really more about him than about us.
P33 When you are confused or hurt by those you trust, remember this: in him there is no darkness or shadow; no fickleness or change (1 John 1:5; James 1:17). When other helpers fail and other comforts flee, he has made his home with you forever ( John 14:23). He knows what you need even before you ask him (Matt. 6:8). He takes genuine pleasure in doing you good (Luke 12:32). And he has even numbered the hairs on your head (Matt. 10:30). When you were first saved, he rejoiced in full view of the angels in heaven (Luke 15:10), and still now he rejoices over you with loud singing—even as he calms and quiets you with his tender love (Zeph. 3:17).
P34 learning to live in God’s love for us is a lifelong pursuit.
P37 …simply believing in God, being saved, doing good, and going to heaven isn’t quite the main thing that God tells us he wants for us as Christians. There is a far deeper and richer purpose for our new life in Jesus.
P44 When you know God’s love and love him in response, you are entering in to share the happy eternal life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ( John 17:3; 2 Pet. 1:4).
P47 The cross is always the best place to go to reignite the fire of love, because it’s there that God showed his love for you while you were at your worst, weakest, and most wayward. His was love poured out without illusion, expectation, or condition
P50 The Spirit who gave us new life is also now ours in Jesus, as the gift who keeps on giving.
P55 Being “led by the Spirit” means no longer being slaves to sin, but embracing our adoption (Ephesians 1:14).
P56 Faithfully and consistently, he [The Holy Spirit] turns our eyes to the Son, that we might enjoy him every day
P59 He is the friend who is always with you, always showing you more of your salvation in Jesus. The more you lean into fellowship with the Holy Spirit, the more you will find that God keeps on giving, with fresh mercy for each day (Lam. 3:22–23).
P64 Clearly, for a person to change, he or she needs a miracle on the inside—in the heart— before anything else, even before we try to change our outward behaviour and habits.
P65 It is only when we come to treasure what is good that we will do what is good, like those good trees bearing good fruit. It is only when we are lured by what is good that we will be drawn away from what is evil. We really can’t be lectured, cajoled, or forced into what is good, because that skips the vital work of changing the heart.
P67 If you are a Christian, then your heart surgery was a success: you are now a good “tree,” filled with the Spirit and ready to bear fruit. And what will make you fruitful? Enjoying the one who won your heart in the first place.
P74 Sin makes such big promises to us, and these appeal to our deepest thirst for security, comfort, praise, and love.
P82-83 Surprising as it sounds, it may just be that your relationship with your own ongoing sin is the best diagnostic tool you have for measuring your grasp of the gospel. The Christian who has a casual, flippant attitude towards their sinful thoughts, words, and deeds, never taking seriously sin’s ugliness and offence, has almost certainly lost sight of the cross of Jesus. For the cross reveals the depth and gravity of sin, and the great cost that the Lord was willing to pay in his love and grace. This is a kindness that ought to lead us to repentance, and certainly not to indifference (Rom. 2:4). Meanwhile, the Christian who beats himself up over every failure, agonising over his level of spiritual improvement and promising a stronger performance from then on, has equally lost sight of the cross. Again, the cross reveals the depth and gravity of sin, and the great cost that the Lord was willing to pay. It is not a call to become a better person, but an invitation to radical honesty about our need (Gal. 6:14).
P85 “I do not know, Beloved, when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the Cross, for that is the safest place in which I can stand.” Charles Spurgeon, “How to Become Full of Joy,” in Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 57 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1855– 1917), 497
P94 When we stop consciously enjoying the love of God, even doing “the right thing” will soon become the source of subtle entitlement, resentment, and bitterness. Many Christians drop out of church life and service, burnt out because they had begun to find their identity and security in what they did for God and the church. What may have begun as cheerful service of other people is quietly hijacked for serving the self. So, when the gratitude and praise from others inevitably dries up, or someone else gets the opportunities, they find all their contentment stolen away.
P106 “These inward trials I employ From self and pride to set you free And break your schemes of earthly joy That you would seek your all in me.” John Newton, Prayers Answered by Crosses.
Sitting within the “Regeneration Through the Spirit” part of the series, the book explores what the Christian life looks like when viewed through the lens of the cross, the love of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternity. Hames manages to cover a remarkable amount in just over 100 pages, offering clarity, conviction, and comfort in equal measure.
One of the things I loved most was how saturated the book is with Scripture. Almost every statement is supported with a relevant Bible verse, and the Scripture Index at the back is immensely helpful. Having been a Christian for nearly three decades, I didn’t necessarily come away with brand‑new concepts, but I did come away with rich reminders of what it truly means to follow Christ. As Hames puts it, “learning to live in God’s love for us is a lifelong pursuit” (p.34), and this book beautifully reinforces that truth.
It’s concise, pastorally warm, and genuinely encouraging. I’m excited to read more from this series.
My favourite quotes:
P23 In other words, the Christian life is defined by Jesus, centred on Jesus, and it even begins to look like Jesus, in all his loveliness and goodness. It is not your own life, but his life being worked out in you. It is this way from day one, and will be this way right to the day when your race has been won. And it will never stop feeling like kneeling at the cross in worship and wonder.
P25 Our growth, holiness, Christlikeness, maturity, and so on will only be healthy and happy (not to mention real and not faked) when we understand that our new life is really more about him than about us.
P33 When you are confused or hurt by those you trust, remember this: in him there is no darkness or shadow; no fickleness or change (1 John 1:5; James 1:17). When other helpers fail and other comforts flee, he has made his home with you forever ( John 14:23). He knows what you need even before you ask him (Matt. 6:8). He takes genuine pleasure in doing you good (Luke 12:32). And he has even numbered the hairs on your head (Matt. 10:30). When you were first saved, he rejoiced in full view of the angels in heaven (Luke 15:10), and still now he rejoices over you with loud singing—even as he calms and quiets you with his tender love (Zeph. 3:17).
P34 learning to live in God’s love for us is a lifelong pursuit.
P37 …simply believing in God, being saved, doing good, and going to heaven isn’t quite the main thing that God tells us he wants for us as Christians. There is a far deeper and richer purpose for our new life in Jesus.
P44 When you know God’s love and love him in response, you are entering in to share the happy eternal life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ( John 17:3; 2 Pet. 1:4).
P47 The cross is always the best place to go to reignite the fire of love, because it’s there that God showed his love for you while you were at your worst, weakest, and most wayward. His was love poured out without illusion, expectation, or condition
P50 The Spirit who gave us new life is also now ours in Jesus, as the gift who keeps on giving.
P55 Being “led by the Spirit” means no longer being slaves to sin, but embracing our adoption (Ephesians 1:14).
P56 Faithfully and consistently, he [The Holy Spirit] turns our eyes to the Son, that we might enjoy him every day
P59 He is the friend who is always with you, always showing you more of your salvation in Jesus. The more you lean into fellowship with the Holy Spirit, the more you will find that God keeps on giving, with fresh mercy for each day (Lam. 3:22–23).
P64 Clearly, for a person to change, he or she needs a miracle on the inside—in the heart— before anything else, even before we try to change our outward behaviour and habits.
P65 It is only when we come to treasure what is good that we will do what is good, like those good trees bearing good fruit. It is only when we are lured by what is good that we will be drawn away from what is evil. We really can’t be lectured, cajoled, or forced into what is good, because that skips the vital work of changing the heart.
P67 If you are a Christian, then your heart surgery was a success: you are now a good “tree,” filled with the Spirit and ready to bear fruit. And what will make you fruitful? Enjoying the one who won your heart in the first place.
P74 Sin makes such big promises to us, and these appeal to our deepest thirst for security, comfort, praise, and love.
P82-83 Surprising as it sounds, it may just be that your relationship with your own ongoing sin is the best diagnostic tool you have for measuring your grasp of the gospel. The Christian who has a casual, flippant attitude towards their sinful thoughts, words, and deeds, never taking seriously sin’s ugliness and offence, has almost certainly lost sight of the cross of Jesus. For the cross reveals the depth and gravity of sin, and the great cost that the Lord was willing to pay in his love and grace. This is a kindness that ought to lead us to repentance, and certainly not to indifference (Rom. 2:4). Meanwhile, the Christian who beats himself up over every failure, agonising over his level of spiritual improvement and promising a stronger performance from then on, has equally lost sight of the cross. Again, the cross reveals the depth and gravity of sin, and the great cost that the Lord was willing to pay. It is not a call to become a better person, but an invitation to radical honesty about our need (Gal. 6:14).
P85 “I do not know, Beloved, when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the Cross, for that is the safest place in which I can stand.” Charles Spurgeon, “How to Become Full of Joy,” in Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 57 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1855– 1917), 497
P94 When we stop consciously enjoying the love of God, even doing “the right thing” will soon become the source of subtle entitlement, resentment, and bitterness. Many Christians drop out of church life and service, burnt out because they had begun to find their identity and security in what they did for God and the church. What may have begun as cheerful service of other people is quietly hijacked for serving the self. So, when the gratitude and praise from others inevitably dries up, or someone else gets the opportunities, they find all their contentment stolen away.
P106 “These inward trials I employ From self and pride to set you free And break your schemes of earthly joy That you would seek your all in me.” John Newton, Prayers Answered by Crosses.
April 8, 2026
this book was incredible. and so worth the read. man, i really have so much to consider.
key points:
1. Hames points out that our biggest inhibitor is self. we are constantly neglecting the cross. we are constantly trying to “out-obey” our past selves. we think that our bible studies and our church attendance and our “goodness” all equate the work of the cross, when they don’t even come close to a fraction of it. Hames uses this book to show us how we ought to live with the cross in FULL view.
and to put it simply:
1. we revel in the work of the cross moment by moment and we lay our lives at the feet of our Savior in joy.
2. we trust that we are not our ow saviors. that God is at work within us. our response should be joyful thanks and joyful love.
3. we do not use obedience as a counterweight. we obey out of our love for Him. our obedience does not equate our salvation.
4. everything is because of the cross.
one big thing that is sticking with me:
1. Christ, the Son of God, waited in perfect obedience for the right moment to do the will of his Father. we’re talking YEARS. and He never complained or rushed things or fought back. Christ then, on earth, did His Father’s work quietly and humbly and obediently. again, not an ill-word against the Father. Christ is what we are to imitate. He quietly and humbly and simply did the work in front of Him for the glory of the Father.
and that’s the life I personally want to live. not for me, but for Him.
key points:
1. Hames points out that our biggest inhibitor is self. we are constantly neglecting the cross. we are constantly trying to “out-obey” our past selves. we think that our bible studies and our church attendance and our “goodness” all equate the work of the cross, when they don’t even come close to a fraction of it. Hames uses this book to show us how we ought to live with the cross in FULL view.
and to put it simply:
1. we revel in the work of the cross moment by moment and we lay our lives at the feet of our Savior in joy.
2. we trust that we are not our ow saviors. that God is at work within us. our response should be joyful thanks and joyful love.
3. we do not use obedience as a counterweight. we obey out of our love for Him. our obedience does not equate our salvation.
4. everything is because of the cross.
one big thing that is sticking with me:
1. Christ, the Son of God, waited in perfect obedience for the right moment to do the will of his Father. we’re talking YEARS. and He never complained or rushed things or fought back. Christ then, on earth, did His Father’s work quietly and humbly and obediently. again, not an ill-word against the Father. Christ is what we are to imitate. He quietly and humbly and simply did the work in front of Him for the glory of the Father.
and that’s the life I personally want to live. not for me, but for Him.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews